Lady Bulldogs Set School Records At State Meet
Eli Vinson won the state championship in pole vault with a jump of 14 feet.
He was joined on the podium by fellow Bulldog Landy DeArman who placed fifth.
“They have been working really hard with our pole vault coach Joe DeArman,” Coach Emile Heitland said. “These guys have been putting in a lot of time to position themselves for the state meet. They not only jump at the school, but they have been driving to an indoor facility that is an hour drive several times every week. It was very exciting to see both Eli and Landy get on the podium.”
Hurdler Grady Hardoin overcame early adversity to place second in the 300 hurdles. First, he ran the 110 hurdle preliminary race, only to be thrown off balance on the ninth hurdle and unable to clear the tenth hurdle. Hardoin then put that behind him to set a new personal record of 40.26 in the 300 hurdles for the title of state runner-up.
“I was very proud of Grady not letting this ruin the rest of the meet,” Heitland said. “He put the misfortune behind him and ran great the rest of the meet in the 300 hurdles.”
Kaleb Madron broke his own school record in the 800 meter, placing fourth.
“Kaleb was a two-time state placer in this event coming into the meet, but I knew it was going to take a PR to get on the podium a third time,” Heitland said. “Kaleb ended up breaking his own school record with a 1:56.45 to earn his podium spot.”
The 3200 meter relay team of Madron, Calvin Downey, Korbin Mayo and Jaxon Freehill placed sixth, running 8:21.77 to set a new personal record. Madron, Downey and Freehill all ran their best split of the year, and Mayo matched his best split.
“It was the fastest field I have ever seen at the 4A State Track Meet in this race,” Heitland said. “Going into the meet, I knew it was going to take a great race to get on the podium. I was very proud of these guys for putting it all together at the right time.”
Overall, the Bulldogs placed eighth in 4A. “Class 4A state track meet is loaded with talent, and it is an accomplishment to get on the podium,” Heitland said. “I’m really proud of these guys. They have worked extremely hard all year and made a lot of sacrifices to put themselves in position to medal at the state meet. My goal is for them to be peaking at the end of the year, and it was obvious they were with all of their PR’s.”
